Worst repot stories! Let's bring the newbies moral up! (Primarily my own!!)

[emmajs243]

Haha! Thank you Mountaineer! I have DEFINITELY looked into the AOS website! It's a GREAT help! But I also still think I'm going to plan to visit some shows!! I had no idea they had classes or speakers or anything like that at shows so it would definitely be a worth while venture since it's not like we really have people here that I know of that are experts in orchids! although trial and error is definitely a way to learn and to some extent, I am sure No matter what I'll experience it, I would prefer to get some tips and tricks and in person expertise under my belt to try to avoid as many errors as possible!!

And I too have had a Phal fall....same Phal like twice now (don't worry! I too fixed where she was to make sure that didn't happen again!) and I find it so funny because I live alone but somehow I still revert back to that little kid in my parents house of seeing it on the ground and looking over both shoulders like, "Oh my gosh did anyone see that?!??!!!" And then rushing to vacuum up the bark before anyone notices what happened! Even though, I am the only one there to catch myself so I don't know what I think is going to happen!!

[estación seca]

I would echo the advice to join the American Orchid Society. There are quite a few videos available only to members. Some are available to non-members as a teaser, I think. There are several broadcast live through the year to members at designated times, including Q&A sessions.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by emmajs243

I know I use a kelp extract root stimulant....but idk that it has auxin in it! Is it ok to use overall?? Definitely something worth looking into just to help this poor catt get back on her feet! It's not like I want her to be a super orchid or anything (well I do but I can be patient!) I just want her to survive!

Some sources are indicating that some of those extracts relatively small quantities of auxin. So that could be beneficial already. For repots, there is at least some products available that are known yo be effective and get things happening with root activity... such as auxinone and ezi-root. You might not have these available in your area... but I assume there should be equivalent brand items like these out there.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Some sources are indicating that some of those extracts relatively small quantities of auxin. So that could be beneficial already. For repots, there is at least some products available that are known yo be effective and get things happening with root activity... such as auxinone and ezi-root. You might not have these available in your area... but I assume there should be equivalent brand items like these out there.

Be a little cautious with root stimulants... the kelp extracts (I know that many people here love Ray's Kepmax) are gentle. But I stopped using Superthrive when I started getting some Catts with crippled flowers (segments not separating, etc.) I stopped using the stuff and the problem went away. Not a controlled study, but was enough evidence for me...

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Be a little cautious with root stimulants... the kelp extracts (I know that many people here love Ray's Kelpmax) are gentle.

The comment you made Roberta about being cautious is very important. In total agreement. I really believe that over-doing the frequency and concentrations is an issue. Too little is better than too much.

Also, if there's a chance for it, accumulation of salts in the pot is a threat too. Most of my orchids are growing in quincan gravel - that's what they call it around here --- one form of scoria -- which is conveniently easy to flush and purge with heavy watering. Fairly easy to flush out when using bark too. I predict that it might be harder to do for some media that can get waterlogged.

The quincan gravel is definitely good stuff. Although, the orchid roots often adhere well to these rocks - so repotting can take a bit of effort, as compared with some other media like bark/perlite/foam/soil mixes.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

The quincan gravel is definitely good stuff. Although, the orchid roots often adhere well to these rocks - so repotting can take a bit of effort, as compared with some other media like bark/perlite/foam/soil mixes.

If the roots adhere to the rocks, I would suggest just leaving those pieces of media attached. Certainly not going to hurt anything - it's not going to rot. Even with bark, I don't try to remove anything that is stuck on the roots... any benefit would be far less than the damage to roots likely to be caused by removal.

[Ray]

I'll add that you should not just accept someone else's medium suggestion at face value; definitely assess its properties in relation to your plants' needs and your growing conditions.

Case in point: back in the early '80's, ground cork was all the rage - cheap, plentiful, uniformly sized, held water while being airy, and it even compressed a bit to hold newly repotted plants in place - the "perfect" medium that many growers jumped to.

Oops.

In a matter of months, and seemingly overnight, it went from "perfect" to "root-suffocating, slimy mush" that killed a lot of plants across America, including some of mine.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Roberta

If the roots adhere to the rocks, I would suggest just leaving those pieces of media attached. Certainly not going to hurt anything - it's not going to rot. Even with bark, I don't try to remove anything that is stuck on the roots... any benefit would be far less than the damage to roots likely to be caused by removal.

A very good suggestion there Roberta. I recommend that too. The fiddly bit with quincan gravel is when enough roots propagate through the 'matrix' of the pot, then it can sometimes take a while to get the rocks out - while with some other media mix..... just some gentle squeezing dislodges most of the stuff.